Follow in the footsteps of Heroes
on an In The Footsteps®
Waterloo Campaign Tour
Your In The Footsteps® tour will visit the most significant sites of the Waterloo
Campaign that took place over the period of 16th to 18th June 1815. Our expert guide will recount the
events that occurred and tell you some of the true stories behind the events that took place. You will
hear about the acts of valour performed by the soldiers that took part and remember the fallen who gave
their lives in the fighting. You will sample one of the most important events of the 19th Century, an
event that shaped Europe and defined modern civilisation.
Join one of our Expert guides on a tour of the Waterloo Campaign Battlefields, follow the action and see
how the battle developed.
Our 3-day / 2-night Flexi Tour
Day 1: Ligny and Quatre Bras
Your Waterloo Campaign Tour begins as we depart from the hotel reception at 09:00 am to tour the sites
associated with the fighting at Ligny and Quatre Bras on 16th June 1815.
We start at the mill at Fleurus where Napoleon set up his headquarters on 16th June 1815. Here we
discuss the prelude to the Battle of Ligny before moving to the forward edge of Fleurus overlooking the
ground between the French and Prussian Forces to discuss their dispositions and the initial phases of
the battle. Dropping down into Saint-Amand we look at the battle that developed to the west of Ligny
between General Vandamme's French III Army Corps and General Ziethen's Prussian I Army Corps
before continuing into Ligny. In Ligny we stop at La Ferme d'En Haut where we discuss the battle in
the centre before visiting the Centre General Gérrad (Battle of Ligny Museum), which was a farm
that had served as a hospital after the battle. From the Centre General Gérrad we drive to Bussy
Windmill where Field Marshal Blücher set up his headquarters. Here we discuss the finale of the
battle, the Prussian withdrawal and Napoleon's lost chance.
From Bussy Windmill we take a break for lunch at one of the restaurants in the area.
In the afternoon we concentrate on the Battle at Quatre Bras. We discuss the events that took place at
Quatre Bras on 16th June 1815 when Marshal Ney's French were checked and held by the Prince of
Orange's Anglo-Dutch forces. This will include a tour of some of the battlefield sites including:
Piraumont Farm, Gemioncourt Farm, the Bois de Bossu, the crossroads and the monument dedicated to the
Duke of Brunswick.
From Quatre Bras we head north along the road to Brussels to visit Le Caillou Farmhouse, which was where
Napoleon spent the night of 17th June before the main battle. Our visit to Le Caillou concludes our
first day on the battlefield and we return to your hotel at approximately 17:30 hrs.
Day 2: La Belle Alliance, Hougoumont and Wellington's Ridge
We depart from the hotel reception at 09:00 am and drive to La Belle Alliance to get Napoleon's view
of the battlefield and discuss the dispositions of the two opposing Armies. From La Belle Alliance we
drive to the area where Lieutenant General (GdC) Count Honoré Charles Michel Joseph Reille's
French II Army Corps was deployed facing the British right and the Chateau at Hougoumont to get the
French perspective of the battlefield. We then continue on to the recently restored Hougoumont site
where we discuss the defence by the British and the Battle that developed on the British right wing.
From Hougoumont we take a break for lunch at one of the restaurants in the area.
Following lunch we visit the new Visitor's Centre, climb the Lion Mound to get a bird's eye view
of the battlefield and see the excellent 360 Panorama before walking the short distance to overlook the
battlefield and discuss the advance by the French I Army Corps commanded by Lieutenant General Jean
Baptiste Drouet, Count d'Erlon. After discussing the advance and subsequent charge by the British
Heavy Cavalry we take a gentle walk to the site of the Mercer Memorial where we discuss the role played
by Captain Mercer's Battery during the charge of the French Cavalry. From the Mercer Memorial we
head to La Haye Sainte where we discuss the defence by the King's German Legion. This concludes our
day touring and we return to your hotel at approximately 17:30 hrs.
Day 3: The Wellington Museum, St Joseph's Church, Plancenoit and the defeat of Old Guard
We depart from the hotel reception at 09:00 am and drive to Waterloo to visit the Wellington Museum and
St Joseph's Church. We then head back to the battlefield where we turn our attention to the arrival
of the Prussians and the effect that they had on the battle. We discuss their appearance on the
battlefield and the desperate fighting that took place, initially between the Prussians and Lieutenant
General Lobau's French VI Army Corps and later the Battalions of the French Young Guard, for the
control of Plancenoit.
From Plancenoit we take a break for lunch at one of the restaurants in the area.
We then return once more to La Belle Alliance close to the centre of the battlefield and Napoleons
vantage point. Here we discuss the advance of the Old Guard against Wellington's British and
Napoleon's subsequent flight from the battlefield.
This concludes your Waterloo Campaign Tour and we return you to your hotel for approximately 17:30 hrs
where we bid our farewell.
Please note: Itineraries are subject to change due to operational reasons. Any changes will be
advised closer to the time of departure.
The cost of your tour
The cost of our Waterloo Campaign Flexi Tour is £850.00 per person.*
This price per person are based upon:
- Two people sharing a twin room.
- A minimum of 4 people touring. If less than 4 people travelling we will produce a specific proposal for your consideration.
- Travel in a dedicate tour vehicle driven by our expert battlefield historian / guide.
A supplement of £160.00 GBP * applies where single occupancy is required.
A deposit of 30% or £200.00 per person, whichever is the greater, is payable on booking.
An additional supplement may apply for anniversary dates to cover any increase in the associated
costs.
Booking indicates your acceptance of our Tour Terms and Conditions.
* The costs may vary from those shown above due to the availability and selection of hotels and
other associated costs.
What your tour includes
- In-tour land travel only.
- 3-days escorted tour of the battlefields with one of our expert Battlefield Guides.
- Comprehensive touring of all the major battlefield sites, including many of the less frequently visited out-of-the-way sites.
- All museum admission fees.
- Accommodation at one of our 3-star partner hotels.
- The opportunity to discuss your battlefield travel plans with our expert team.
What your tour does not include
- Meals.
- Drinks.
- Personal expenses.
- Personal travel insurance.
Customising your Flexi-date tour
All of our Flexi-date tours are fully customisable to allow you to see the sites that are most important to you. Where changes to the standard itinerary are made there may be an additional charge to cover the associated additional costs.
Financial Protection
Your money is safe. We are members ot the TTA and all monies paid to us are held in a trust account and cannot be drawn down by us until the tour is over.
Why travel with In The Footsteps?
- We have over 16 years experience in designing and operating Private Battlefield Tours, Battlefield Studies and Staff Rides.
- Our team of battlefield historians and guides are selected for their experience, depth of knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to tell the story in an entertaining and engaging way. The majority are accredited members of the prestigious Guild of Battlefield Guides. This means they endeavour to maintain high levels of good practice commensurate with the Guild's ethos.
- We operate a full booking, planning and design service.
- Office is open 24-hours a day whilst the tour is operating.
- Combined Employers and Public Liability Insurance (a copy can be supplied upon request).
Enquire About Your Waterloo Campaign Tour Today
If you are interested in an In the footsteps® Waterloo Campaign Tour click on the button
which will take you to our Enquiry Form. On the form tell us where you want to go, when and for how
long.
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Page last updated: 25 October 2020.